The fair in your county or state may only happen once a year (and may have been postponed this year, unfortunately), but most people flock to the site in the summer to enjoy the best state fair food. There are usually cattle, rides, fireworks, and unique gifts, but let’s be serious: it’s about the food.
Related: The craziest state fair competitions in all of America
Many memories are brought back, but the food you tried stuck in your mind all year round. The Minnesota State Fair – one of the largest in the United States – has an average of more than 2 million guests annually and 300 stalls consume a lot of food. New preparations and fried foods appear every year. There are the tried and true foods on a stick, delicious variations of fan favorites, cultural dishes, decadent over-the-top desserts, and maybe, just maybe, a healthy bite here and there. Some foods you will see in your local market year after year and others are just unique, weird, or unusual but fun to try!
This year, both the Texas and Minnesota State Fairs, two of the largest trade shows in the United States, plan to open and share all of the fun food you can expect when you visit. The Texas State Fair runs from Fri, September 24, 2021 to Sun, October 17, 2021 and features an Armadillo Cookie Butter Ice Cream Sandwich and Chicken Fried Bacon.
Related: Cornell Barbecue Chicken: The Star of the New York State Fair!
The Minnesota State Fair runs Thursday, August 26th through Labor Day (that’s Monday, September 6th) and highlights Midwestern foods, along with a Wild Rice Burger, Pickle Dog, and Mini Donut Beer, not when You are 21+!
Most popular state fair food
Here is a list of 10 of the most popular state foods you’ll come across in the United States:
- Fried Oreos
- Fried chicken in a waffle cone
- Fried Snickers
- Pizza cone
- Cannoli dessert nachos
- Fried PB&J
- Corn in a cup
- Turkey legs
- Fried cheese curd
- Biscuit fries
Related: 15 Recipes For Food That Tastes Better On A Stick
Even if you avoid state trade fairs this year due to Covid, you can still prepare the best regional trade fair food at home! Whether it’s a sweet dessert, a hearty dish or a fun starter, these recipes for the state fair can be prepared in your own kitchen and enjoyed in your own garden. Fair recipes can also be taken to your next potluck for a fun, small, more intimate fair.
While we will always have a penchant for trade fairs, sometimes it is not worth avoiding lines, crowds and humid temperatures just for the food. Instead, have groceries delivered to your home, prepare a few simple recipes in the comfort of your kitchen, and enjoy that first bite of freshly baked chocolate chip cookie, Navajo tacos, or meal in a mug without anyone bumping into you or asking you to share !
About the author:
Megan is the content creator behind Pip and Ebby. She loves preparing and eating delicious food, but what she really loves is this: making your life easier. Creating recipes that make it easier, tastier, healthier or more colorful or more inspiring will keep you moving in the kitchen. On her blog, you’ll find comfort food, quick-cooked meals, and tons of great instant pot and slow cooker dishes, as well as stunning desserts.
